CCS reaches National Finals of Shape the Future Competition

April 18, 2013

Caroline Chisholm School has made it through to the top 5 schools nationally for the Department of International Development’s (DfID) schools competition ‘Shape the Future’.

Shape the Future is a national competition that gives UK secondary schools a ‘voice’ to share their own views on the most effective way of ensuring development for all. The competition has enabled our students to develop their understanding of development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to express their vision for the future of the world.

Since their creation in September 2000, the MDGs have encouraged the many countries committed to them to work towards meeting the needs of the world’s poorest people. The target date for the MDGs is 2015 so beyond that, a new set of goals will be needed. The MDGs were debated and agreed in the late 1990s when the world looked quite different, so a new global strategy for development in 2015 will have to build on their successes and confront different challenges with new solutions.

Over 40 students in Year 9 participated in the competition and attended regular lunchtime and after-school sessions with Mr. Capell and Mr. McKenna. A presentation was then made using ideas of all students involved, with 5 students selected to present their ideas through a video proposal. Students selected 5 key areas to focus their proposal on through their ‘High 5ive’ scheme.

In the build-up to the final, A Agarwal, S Arthurs, K Rowley, H Sambridge and J Sehgal will work with development experts from both DfID, Oxfam and the Geographical Association to formulate their initial ideas. On May 1st the students will then present their proposals to an Expert Panel at the House of Commons in London. The Panel will include the Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, representatives from DfID, Directors from both Save the Children and UNICEF as well as other MPs.

To view our initial proposal you can watch the video here: http://vimeo.com/62782159. Additionally students can look at the display boards in B16 as well as the Humanities wedge.

We wish our team all the best for the competition and congratulate all students involved!